Vehicle structure

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a vehicle structure, especially a vehicle structure for utility vehicles such as motor vehicles and rail vehicles, wherein a covering frame is supported on a loading platform, covering a loading area. A roof skin can be placed on displaceable cross members of the covering frame, whereby at least one flexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) is arranged in an upper area of the covering frame in order to reinforce the roof. The inventive vehicle structure has low deflexion as a result of the fact that at least one flexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) is fixed to a front corner area of the covering frame and to a rear displaceable cross member in the region of the longitudinal side thereof, at least one flexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) being maintained in at least one point of traction in an area of the other longitudinal side.

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle structure in accordance withthe precharacterizing clause of claim 1, in particular for utilityvehicles, such as motor vehicles and rail vehicles, in which a coveringframe is supported on a loading platform and covers a loading area, itbeing possible for a roof skin to be attached to moveable bows of thecovering frame, and in which at least one flexible reinforcing member isarranged in an upper region of the covering frame in order to stiffenthe roof.

[0002] In road and rail vehicles and containers known from practice, theload is to be transported as securely as possible. In addition, theloading and unloading is to take place as rapidly as possible in orderto be able to return the vehicle etc. as rapidly as possible to itstransporting function again. Customary vehicle superstructures enablingthe loading platform to be opened up comprise sliding-hoop-typecoverings or sliding coverings. A heavy, moveable load may and also hasto be anchored in the floor of the loading surface. However, this is notpossible with all loaded goods, for example with relatively lightweightpiece goods, such as packages, or is at least associated with anincreased expenditure of labour, as there is, for example when usingnets. Displacing of the load takes place when traveling around tightcorners when the unsecured load presses with approximately half of itsweight against the side wall of the structure. It has been establishedthat relatively flexible side walls, such as reinforced tarpaulins, maysag laterally by up to 50 cm in such cases.

[0003] Roofs with a braided cable in the covering frame are known frompractice. Furthermore, reinforced roof tarpaulins are known frompractice. However, the latter do not reliably conduct away forces whichare being applied, but rather are too elastic, susceptible to wear andexpensive.

[0004] WO 00 12 337 Al describes a vehicle structure which is embodiedas a sliding-hoop-type covering, in which sliding hoops in the form ofan inverted U can be shifted along both longitudinal sides of a loadingplatform and essentially cover the loading surface. Although a vehiclestructure of this type is flexible as regards the loading options, theside walls of the vehicle structure are severely bent outward if theload slips.

[0005] WO 00 12 334 Al describes a sliding covering, in which bows canbe shifted via rollers along longitudinal members, which are supportedon the loading platform via stakes, to open up a roof opening.Furthermore, side tarpaulins can be displaceably suspended on thelongitudinal members. Owing to the extent of the stake, the load in theroof region acts with a large lever on the longitudinal member, inparticular in the central region thereof. In the case of longitudinalmembers which are supported from a plurality of sections oflongitudinal-member profiles that are arranged one behind another andare supported in each case on stakes, the supporting on relativelystrong transverse members is insufficient to get out the longitudinalmembers, for which reason the bending outward achieves impermissiblyhigh values.

[0006] EP 0 936 093 Al shows a sliding-hoop-type covering, in which, inthe region of the side walls and of the roof, rigid stiffening strutsare arranged diagonally between adjacent sliding hoops, it beingpossible for at least one end of the stiffening elements to be shiftedin a guide in such a manner that adjacent sliding hoops can come intocontact with one another. A transfer of weight forces which act outwardon the side walls is not possible with these stiffening elements.

[0007] DE 197 56 865 Al describes a vehicle structure, in which acovering frame comprising longitudinal members which are supportedtoward the loading platform by stakes covers a loading area, a rooftarpaulin for covering a roof opening being fastened to bows spanningthe two longitudinal members, and it furthermore being possible for sidetarpaulins to be fitted in each case into the longitudinal members. Toavoid lateral sagging, rigid false floors which stiffen the vehiclestructure are fitted into the stakes. Furthermore, the vehicle structurehas a complex arrangement of stiffening elements which are designed as achain or cable and which are fitted, on one side, to a fixed roof partand, on the other side, are fastened to a carriage which can be movedalong the longitudinal edge of the roof, as a rule on a somewhat widerend bow which is intended to bring about the parallel guidance of thebows. These stiffening elements are deflected on the bows a number oftimes from the one side to the other side in each case of the coveringframe, diagonally spanning the surface of the loading area, twodiagonally extending stiffening elements being deflected in each case atboth ends of the same bow, and the stiffening element engaging with bothof its ends in the region firstly of the one longitudinal member andsecondly of the other of the two longitudinal members. Furthermore,further stiffening elements are stretched parallel to the longitudinalmembers in ring eyelets in which the diagonally extending stiffeningelements are also deflected. Due to the large length of the stiffeningelements and because the latter have to be designed to absorb allforces, the stiffening elements have a great thickness, as a result ofwhich the folding of the tarpaulin is impaired. Although, in the knownvehicle structure, the stiffening elements bring about a connectionbetween the two longitudinal members, the two longitudinal membersbuckle in the same direction when subjected to a load, with the resultthat the vehicle structure buckles in the central region in the mannerof a banana-in fact, buckles at two points as the two longitudinalmembers yield, or even becomes twisted. A further significantdisadvantage resides in the fastening of the ends of the stiffeningelements to the final bow, since the entire load transferred via thestiffening elements stresses the bearings of the rollers andcorrespondingly reduces the service life of the rollers. The sameapplies to the bows on which the eyelets for the deflection of thestiffening elements are provided and the rollers of which have totransfer the entire load acting on the stiffening element to thelongitudinal member, which rapidly causes damage to the bearings of thehorizontally guided rollers and, accordingly, the stiffening of the roofregion is again reduced. Finally, the multiple deflection of theflexible stiffening elements defines a parallelogram of traction that isunable to transfer thrust forces to the opposite longitudinal member tocompensate for forces acting on one longitudinal member, and so thestiffening elements expand the one side, as a result of which excessiveforces can be introduced into the tarpaulin and the latter can bedamaged.

[0008] It is the object of the invention to provide a vehicle structurein accordance with the precharacterizing clause of claim 1 which offersincreased resistance to lateral sagging.

[0009] For the roof skin mentioned at the beginning, this object isachieved according to the invention by the characterizing features ofclaim 1 in that the at least one flexible reinforcing member is fixed toa front corner region of the covering frame and to a rear, moveable bowin the region of the same longitudinal side, and that the at least oneflexible reinforcing member is secured in at least one point of tractionin a region of the other longitudinal side.

[0010] The vehicle structure according to the invention avoids having astiffening element or reinforcing member spanning the roof opening, inthe closed state of the roof, diagonally, i.e. from one corner into thediametrically opposite corner, and instead provides an arrangement inwhich regions of a longitudinal member that are particularly at risk dueto bending outward are coupled to two particularly stable locations inthe region of the opposite longitudinal member.

[0011] In the vehicle structure according to the invention, a first endof the at least one reinforcing member is always arranged in a frontcorner region in the closed state of the covering, thus, in a slidingcovering, in the region of the intersection formed by corner post, fronttransverse member and longitudinal member, and fixed either to thelongitudinal member or to the transverse member. In this case, the otherend of the at least one reinforcing member is arranged on the samelongitudinal side in the region of the rear corner region which isarranged by the corner post, rear transverse member and the samelongitudinal member as for the front corner region, where, in contrastto the preferred, positionally fixed connection in the front cornerregion, in the rear corner region the connection is to a part which isprovided for opening up the roof and can be shifted along thelongitudinal sides, for example to the rear bow or else to an elementwhich is arranged on the rear bow and, in the closed state of thecovering, grips behind positionally fixed parts preferably in aform-fitting and/or frictional manner, and otherwise can be moved by thebows after it has been lifted a little, for example, from the positionin which it grips behind them. An element of this type is preferably theportal beam which is provided in any case in sliding coverings in orderto lock the covering frame and which advantageously tensions thereinforcing member by means of the pivoting movement provided for thispurpose, during closing of the covering, and relaxes it during opening.By this means, the tractive force exerted by the reinforcing member onthe portal beam is introduced directly into the rear structures, such asthe corner posts, against which the portal beam is supported, as aresult of which the forces are not introduced into the particular guideby the rollers of the rear bow and the bearings thereof, which increasesthe service life of the rollers.

[0012] The point of traction is preferably arranged on a bow on whichthe reinforcing member is deflected, so that in the point of tractionarranged in the vicinity of the other longitudinal side, tractive forcesare effective in the direction of the one longitudinal side while theremaining bows outside the point of traction do not experience adeflection of this reinforcing member. Although the discussion concernsone point of traction, the latter may also be extended one-dimensionallyover a section by a first deflecting region and a second deflectingregion on the other longitudinal side being provided, for example, intwo bows which preferably are, but do not absolutely have to be,adjacent, so that the section between the two bows, instead of thepattern which forms in plan view the two limbs of a triangle where theone longitudinal side is the base, instead places a trapezium on thisbase.

[0013] More than just a single reinforcing member, for example two,three or more, are preferably provided on one longitudinal side, whichfurther reinforcing members are assigned in each case to a point oftraction. Thus,. in the case of two reinforcing members, the point oftraction of the first reinforcing member can be provided in the regionof approximately one third of the length of the loading area and thepoint of traction of the second reinforcing member can be provided inthe region of approximately two thirds of the length of the loadingarea. This makes it possible to select more flexible reinforcing membersfor the transfer of the same overall forces, which reinforcing memberscan be bent more easily during opening of the covering frame. Theplurality of reinforcing members preferably originate from the samepoints of the one longitudinal side.

[0014] The invention permits reinforcement and stiffening of theflexible roof skin in the lateral direction when the roof is closedwithout substantially impairing the flexibility of the roof skin in thelongitudinal direction. This improved stiffness is obtained by a simple,cost-effective and virtually maintenance —and wear-free structure.

[0015] If at least two reinforcing members are arranged crossing overeach other and in a longitudinally symmetrical, at least double X shape,then optimum stiffening in both transverse directions and over longersupporting frames is obtained.

[0016] If, in a sliding covering, the roof skin is used with a front endwall hood and/or a rear portal beam, which can be displaced on thelongitudinal members, then the cross member can be formed by the frontend hood and/or by the portal beam. The opening function of the roof canthen be fully maintained without any restriction to operation, and thetensioning of the reinforcing member takes place synchronously with theclosing by displacement of the roof.

[0017] The operation is even simpler and easier if in at least onepivotable portal beam, the reinforcing member is fastened to the portalbeam. The fastening can then be designed using simple means, similar toa lever lock, in a such a manner that the reinforcing member istensioned by the portal beam pivoting into the closing position.

[0018] To monitor the closing function, provision may be made for thearrangement of an electric contact device which is actuated by pivotingof the portal beam. Correct closure of the portal beam, on the one hand,and correct tensioning of the reinforcing member, on the other hand, canthen be established at the same time.

[0019] If there is a flexible rear end, the reinforcing members can becontinued and can also be used in the manner of diagonal bracing toreinforce the flexible rear region.

[0020] So that the reinforcing member can be adapted to a telescopicroof skin without any disturbance, the reinforcing member is connectedto the roof skin. If at least one bow which can be displaced along thelongitudinal members is provided, the same purpose is served by thereinforcing member being connected to the bow.

[0021] The rollers, which are conventional in bows of a sliding coveringand take on the lateral guidance, are preferably omitted when thereinforcing member is fastened to the longitudinal member, i.e. in thecase of that part which couples of the point of traction to thelongitudinal member, as a rule a bow. This bow is fastened to thelongitudinal member via sheet-like sliding elements instead. The lattercan better absorb the forces which occur during tensioning of thereinforcing member and can pass them into the longitudinal member.

[0022] The reinforcing member can be fastened to the points ofintersection or end points by means of rapid connecting means, such asspring hooks.

[0023] A reinforcing member which is designed as a steel cable encasedwith plastic satisfies all requirements. It is flexible, has a long lifeand is maintenance-free.

[0024] The invention therefore provides a vehicle structure, the sidewalls of which exhibit only a slight sagging when subjected to a load byloaded goods.

[0025] A loadable side wall is preferably arranged between thelongitudinal members and the vehicle chassis. This side wall may beconnected fixedly, but releasably, to the longitudinal members and thevehicle chassis. This can take place by the side wall being designed asa tarpaulin reinforced with transverse bows or stakes. The forces actingon the side wall are deflected on the one hand downward into the rigidvehicle chassis and on the other hand upward into the longitudinalmembers. The stiffening of the roof means that the longitudinal members,and therefore the side walls connected to them, are no longer able tosag to such a great extent. This structure is particularly suitable fortransporting piece goods or drinks crates, since lateral load-securingforces are readily absorbed and the stiffening of the moveable roofsurfaces when traveling is ensured without impairing the openingfunction for the loading operation.

[0026] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from thefollowing description and from the dependent claims.

[0027] The invention will be explained in greater detail below using apreferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the attacheddrawings.

[0028]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a loaded truck with a structurewhich is shown transparently.

[0029]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a vehicle structure according to theinvention.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail III from FIG. 2 in the region ofthe connection of a reinforcing member to a longitudinal side.

[0031]FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an alternative vehicle structureaccording to the invention.

[0032]FIG. 5 shows a partially cutaway side view corresponding to theline V-V in FIG. 3.

[0033]FIG. 6 shows the rear end region of the vehicle structure fromFIG. 2 with the portal beam swung up.

[0034]FIG. 7 shows the end region from FIG. 6 with the portal beam swungdown.

[0035]FIG. 8 shows the end region according to FIG. 6 in plan view andon an enlarged scale.

[0036]FIG. 1 shows the manner in which the weight G of the load 1 of autility vehicle can act on the structure 2: 0.8 G act forward on thefront wall 3 and 0.5 G act in each case on the side walls 4 and 5 and onthe rear wall 6. These values can arise during correspondingcircumstances, such as braking, cornering and acceleration, and have tobe introduced into the vehicle chassis.

[0037] In FIG. 2, a rectangular supporting frame 8 of a sliding coveringcomprises two longitudinal members 9 and 10 and a front and a reartransverse member. The front transverse member is designed as a frontend hood 11, the rear transverse member is a pivotable portal beam 12.In the region of intersection 13, i.e. longitudinal member 10/transversemember 11, one end of a reinforcing member in the form of a cable 14encased with plastic is fastened to the longitudinal side of thesupporting frame 8. In the region of intersection 15, i.e. longitudinalmember 10/portal beam 12, the other end is fastened to the samelongitudinal side of the supporting frame 8. The fastening can takeplace via any desired means or rapid fastening means, such as springhooks.

[0038] The cable 14 is fastened in its central region to the centralintermediate region 16 of the other longitudinal member 9; greaterdetail can be gathered from FIGS. 3 and 5.

[0039] A second cable 14′, which is arranged exactly symmetrically withrespect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the supporting frame 8, isindicated together with the intersections 13′ and 14′ and the centralintermediate region 16′ of the longitudinal member 10. The two cables 14and 14′ crossover each other and together form a double X shape. As aresult, the supporting frame 8 is reinforced and stiffened uniformly inits main plane.

[0040] The manner in which the cable 14 is fastened to a bow 17 which,in turn, ends in the form of a roller carriage 18, can be seen in FIGS.3 and 5. In this case, the cable 14 is guided through a hole 19 in thebow 17. The cable 14 is preferably fixed in the hole 19 in order toavoid slipping. The roller carriage 18 runs with two vertical rollers 20in a lateral guide rail 21 and slides via an elongate, sheet-likesliding element 22 in an upper guide rail 23 of the longitudinal member9.

[0041]FIG. 4 shows an alternative configuration of a vehicle structure,in which two cables 14 emerge in each case at the same intersections 13,15 and are fixed to two different points of traction 19 of two bows 17which divide the length of the loading surface approximately intothirds. Furthermore, three cables 14 are shown: a first engages on thesame bow as one of the cables 14, another cable 14′ engages on anadjacent bow to that of the cable 14 and a further cable connects pointsof traction 19 of a bow 17 a and of a bow 17 b, with the result thatinstead of the triangle of intersection-point of traction-intersection,a trapezium of intersection-point of traction-point oftraction-intersection is produced.

[0042] The manner in which the cable 14 is fastened in the point ofintersection 15 to the upwardly pivoted, opened portal beam 12 is shownin FIG. 6. The portal beam 12 is articulated on a further,longitudinally displaceable transverse member 24 via two joints 25. Theopening movement is assisted by a gas-filled spring 26.

[0043] In FIG. 7, the portal beam 12 is swung down and locked to asupport 27. The length of the cable 14 is configured and set in such amanner that the cable 14 obtains its final tensioning when the portalbeam 12 is swung down.

[0044]FIG. 2 shows, in a sliding covering, the manner in which amultiplicity of bows (reference numbers omitted) can be arranged betweenthe longitudinal members 9 and 10, which in turn support the roof skin(not illustrated), for example a tarpaulin. The bows 28 and the roofskin can be connected to the cable 14, preferably at points or insections.

[0045]FIG. 8 illustrates an electric contact device 29 which is broughtinto its closing position, FIG. 7, by the pivoting of the portal beam 12and, as a result, can use corresponding indicating means to signal acorrect closing state of the portal beam 12 and the correct bracing ofthe cable 14.

[0046] The invention has been explained above with reference to anexemplary embodiment which is embodied as a sliding covering. It has tobe understood that the invention can similarly be used on a vehiclestructure embodied in the manner of a sliding-hoop-type covering.

[0047] A vehicle structure according to the invention having a loadingplatform for the stacking of loaded goods over which is built a frame onwhich a tarpaulin rests, and in which either only bows of the roof canbe shifted along longitudinal members, which are supported toward theloading platform via stakes, or bows of the roof are connected to stakeswhich can be shifted along the loading platform, and can be shiftedtogether with said stakes, therefore comprises, according to the conceptof the invention, at least one flexible reinforcing member in the planeof the bows, preferably designed as a cable, for example as a steelcable, which reinforcing member forms at least one triangle which, bymeans of at least one first corner point on one side of the frame,distributes a loading to two further corner points on the other side ofthe frame (when the frame is closed). The two further corner points, butat least one of the two, expediently lie in the region of an uppercorner of the frame. In addition, provision may be made for the cable tobe guided in the region of the bows, which are crossed from corner pointto corner point, on the latter in order to avoid a large amount of slackwhen the frame is opened. The at least one corner point supports thecable if appropriate with a deflecting member. If two cables areprovided, as a triangle respectively, so that a cable is fixed in eachof the four upper corners of the frame, a profile corresponding to adouble X is produced in plan view. The two at least one corner points ofthe two triangles then expediently lie opposite each other andpreferably in the region of a bow.

[0048] The invention has been described above with reference to areinforcing member embodied as a continuous cable. It has to beunderstood that the reinforcing member may also be formed from aplurality of sections of reinforcing cables.

1. A vehicle structure, in particular for utility vehicles, such asmotor vehicles and rail vehicles, in which a covering frame is supportedon a loading platform and covers a loading area, it being possible for aroof skin to be attached to moveable bows of the covering frame, and inwhich at least one flexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) is arranged inan upper region of the covering frame in order to stiffen the roof,characterized in that the at least one flexible reinforcing member (14,14′) is fixed to a front corner region of the covering frame and to arear, moveable bow in the region of the same longitudinal side, and thatthe at least one flexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) is secured in atleast one point of traction in a region of the other longitudinal side.2. The vehicle structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatthe point of traction is arranged in a bow.
 3. The vehicle structure asclaimed in claim 2, characterized in that the bow has, on the rollercarriage assigned to the point of traction, a sliding element forguiding the bow, and that the tractive forces from the point of tractionare introduced via bow and sliding element into an upper longitudinalmember of the other longitudinal side.
 4. The vehicle structure asclaimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least oneflexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) is fixed to a portal beam arrangedon the rear, moveable bow.
 5. The vehicle structure as claimed in claim4, characterized in that, when the covering frame is closed, the portalbeam rests on the rear supports of the covering frame.
 6. The vehiclestructure as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the portalbeam permits a pivoting movement during the transfer from closedcovering frame to open covering.
 7. The vehicle structure as claimed inone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the covering frame is asliding covering, in which the bows can be moved on longitudinal memberssupported toward the loading platform on posts and stakes.
 8. Thevehicle structure as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterizedin that the covering frame is a sliding-hoop-type covering, in which thebows in the form of sliding hoops are supported and can be moved on bothlongitudinal sides of the loading platform.
 9. The vehicle structure asclaimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least oneflexible reinforcing member (14, 14′) is attached to the point oftraction.
 10. The vehicle structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8,characterized in that the at least one flexible reinforcing member (14,14′) is guided loosely through in the point of traction.
 11. The vehiclestructure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that tworeinforcing members (14, 14′) are provided crossing over each other andin a longitudinally symmetrical, double X shape.
 12. The vehiclestructure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that onthe one longitudinal side at least one further flexible reinforcingmember is fixed to the same front corner region of the covering frameand to the same rear, moveable bow, and in that the further flexiblereinforcing member (14, 14′) is secured in a further point of tractionin another region of the other longitudinal side.
 13. The vehiclestructure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that thereinforcing member is fastened to the points of intersection or endpoints by means of rapid connecting means.
 14. The vehicle structure asclaimed in one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the reinforcingmember is designed as a steel cable (14) encased with plastic.
 15. Thevehicle structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, characterized inthat the reinforcing members are continued and are also used toreinforce a flexible rear region of the covering frame in the manner ofdiagonal bracing.
 16. The vehicle structure as claimed in one of claims1 to 15, characterized in that the reinforcing member is attached to theroof skin.
 17. The vehicle structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to15, characterized in that the reinforcing member is integrated in theroof skin.
 18. The vehicle structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to17, characterized in that the at least one reinforcing member is guidedin the region of the bows provided outside the point of traction throughbushings which do not absorb any tractive forces when the reinforcingmember is tensioned.
 19. The vehicle structure as claimed in one ofclaims 1 to 18, characterized in that the at least one reinforcingmember is resistant to being extended.
 20. A flexible roof skin,preferably for a vehicle structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 19,having a reinforcing member (14) which is resistant to being extended,which roof skin is supported on a rectangular supporting frame (8)comprising two longitudinal members (9, 10) and two transverse members(11, 12) and said supporting frame is supported on a vehicle chassis viasupports (27), characterized in that at least one reinforcing member(14) on the one longitudinal side of the supporting frame (8) isconnected in a positionally fixed manner in the regions of intersection(13, 15) of longitudinal member/transverse member and, on the otherlongitudinal side, is connected in a longitudinally displaceable mannerto an intermediate region (16) of the other longitudinal member (9) ofthe supporting frame (8), said intermediate region lying between thecorresponding regions of intersection (13′, 15′).